Spain deny 'strip poker' hotel robbery

The Spanish Football Federation have issued a statement denying reports from Brazil that several players had cash stolen from their hotel rooms after playing a game of strip poker following a late-night party.

It was initially reported on Thursday that six players, including Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, had money stolen from their hotel rooms in Recife while they were playing in their Confederations Cup opener against Uruguay, which they won 2-1.

FIFA spokesman Pekka Odriozola confirmed that the matter was being dealt with by police.

"We know there was a report, a police report and this was being dealt with by the relevant authorities, we have been in touch also with the team," he said.

"We are waiting to hear from the authorities. (We) don't have all details. We know there was an incident and the police are investigating."

However reports emerged from Brazil last night that the robbery had occurred after the Uruguay match, and had followed a band and a group of women being invited into the Spanish team hotel. Alcohol was also reportedly present.

Globo Esporte claim that according to hotel employees, the band played until 1am before leaving, with five women joining five players and one member of Spain's backroom staff in playing a game of strip poker.

The players then allegedly retired to their bedrooms with the women, only to wake up in the morning with their money, which totalled thousands of Euros, and the women gone.

It reads: "The Royal Spanish Football Federation denies the facts distributed by a Brazilian media that undermine the good name of the Spanish football team and the reputation and professionalism of his players.

"Six of the team players were the subject of a robbery at the team hotel in Recife during the course of the match Spain-Uruguay corresponding to the Confederations Cup. That fact was reported in due course to the Brazilian police.

"The complaint does not involve any attacks against the organizing committee nor against FIFA, much less against a country like Brazil, which has hosted the Spanish national team with open arms. Such circumstances could have happened anywhere in the world, including Spain.

"Subsequently, have shed a number of aspersions on our players, the RFEF rejects and repudiates entirely, deeply, because they damage the honor of their players and their families and friends.

"This fact will not in any way disrupt the Spanish team sports performance, yes awakens the indignation of the Royal Federation because only intended to harm, free and good name of the Spanish team players have shown for many years his good work, professionalism and exemplary."

CCTV footage from the hotel is under wraps while Brazilian police continue their investigation into the incident. Globo Esporte report that employees of the hotel have been quizzed over their role in the robbery.

Spain have qualified for the semi-finals of the Confederation Cup, where they will face Italy on Thursday.

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